Windlass pulls anchor but clicks when trying to drop

[ChasingEden]

Has anyone had an issue where the solenoid clicks when trying to drop the anchor, but is still able to pull the anchor?

I have a Anchorlift windlass.

Thanks for the help.

[motion30]

Probably a faulty solenoid if you have someone work to switch you can test it with a volt meter

[Seman]

Most likely motor brushes, if ok check wiring and contactors.

[Suijin]

There are two solenoids in your control box. Try whacking it with a rubber mallet or hard with the heel of your hand. If it then works you have a bad down solenoid. It’s an easy first step to try. If the box clicks then the contact is probably moving but they can stick.

Next step get out your meter and see if you’re getting current to the motor when pressing down. If so then move on to the motor.

[noelex 77]

The clicking is most likely to be the down solenoid engaging and then disengaging. This can be a problem with the solenoid itself, but it may also be the activating switch. If the foot switches or remote for the windlass have some corrosion on the contacts, the solenoid activating mechanism will not be provided with enough current to properly close, leading to the symptoms you describe.

It is worth having a couple of independent options to activate the windlass, for example, both a wired and a wireless remote. If the fault is present with both switches it at least isolates the problem to the solenoid (most common) or the windlass motor itself.

[Parrothedd]

Are you sure it’s the solonoid and not the clutch in the windlass itself?

[Mahayana]

Our windlass clicks when the chain does not freely come out of the locker. Im usually standing right over it and can manually pull a couple feet out . Once all the chain is free in the locker it comes out without the clicking.

[meirriba]

Our windlass is Quick. Different make. However, you may have the same contraption on yours as we have.
On the base of the windlass there is a safety switch with a small toothed lever and a spring.
In one position of the switch, the windlass works in both directions, in the other position, it works only up.
If dirt or corrosion gets into the area where the lever and spring need to move it may become stuck.

[Mike Banks]

Check the wiring. It may be that the windlass is trying to raise the anchor still further and overloading, or that the solenoid itself is not making proper contact in its reverse setting.

Not all windlasses have a reverse. To drop my anchor I simply released the clutch on the top of the capstan.

[nepal]

I had the same problem and after years found out that that there was a drop of voltage (-0,5 V I think) due to a bad wire. Replacing the wire solved the problem.

[-bliss-]

There should be three thick cables coming out of your control box. Two red ones (+) and one black (-). My advice to you in order to eliminate other malfunctions, is to disengage the 12 volt main switch(es), then swap the two red cables. After engaging the main switch(es) again, you might have a windlass now working only when dropping the hook, and not when pulling.. If so, you have a defect solenoid. The good news is they are relatively inexpensive, and the new one should work flawlessly for many years.
Good luck to you!